What are your views about shielding children from unpleasant truths? When is it important for a child to know such truths? When is it better to keep a child in the dark? And, is it right for an adult to lie to a child to "protect" him or her?

I think that issues like the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny need to be told to children at a young age that they don't exist. I think its better just to let them know that you care enough about them to get them items as a parallel to how the three kings gave jesus gifts when he was born. I don't think they need to know about the birds and the bees at age 5, but I think they should be educated on anatomy and bodily changes before they hit puberty and don't know what's happening to them. I don't really think parents should ever straight-up lie to their children, but half-truths and vague answers I could condone because you aren't lying to the kid but you aren't letting them in on information they don't need to know. Sometimes its better to keep information from a child because it involves them, and it gives them the wrong idea.